Developers appeal against decision to refuse blocks of flats

The Saxonby Group are also waiting on Shropshire Council's decision on a third application for outline permission for a development on land off Ellesmere Road, which was submitted last month.

The Saxonby Group previously asked Shropshire Council for permission to build 38 flats on land off Ellesmere Road but was turned down.

The scheme had failed to get permission due to the development being on a green field site in the open countryside. It was also felt that the development would 'erode the character of the area' and would appear 'incongruous and intrusive'.

The group appealed against the decision but have now withdrawn the appeal.

After the first application was refused they submitted a second application for 36 flats in three blocks.

Shropshire Council officers recommended that the scheme was approved but this was also turned down, and now The Saxonby Group have lodged an appeal against this refusal.

In a third application all matters are reserved apart from access.

The application says: "Nonetheless it is anticipated that the proposed development will be influenced by, and respond to, the design cues of the surrounding built environment in the Greenfields area.

"The surrounding area is entirely residential with extensive new developments on three sides of the site."

There have been 25 objections to the latest application, and no comments in support.

Residents have objected saying it is greenfield and should not be built on, the scale and design of the development being out of keeping with the area and a flood risk.

Shrewsbury Town Council also objected to the plans.

Helen Ball, town clerk, said: "Due to the potential scale of this development and the fact that the site is on countryside land which is prone to flooding, members deemed an outline application as insufficient for making a measured response.

"They request a full application to be submitted."

A decision is expected be made on this application in the coming weeks.